Mass Shootings Resources

Managing feelings of distress in the aftermath of a shooting can be challenging. According to the American Psychological Association, “you may be struggling to understand how a shooting could occur and why such a terrible thing would happen. There may never be satisfactory answers to these questions.” “Meanwhile, you may wonder how to go on living your daily life. You can strengthen your resilience — the ability to adapt well in the face of adversity — in the days and weeks ahead.”

Below, is a list of resources to aid, restore, and strengthen your resilience to cope with mass shootings. Note: this list is continually updated so please feel to share any additional resources with the SCP Web-manager.

Tips and Tools - APA:

• APA Resources for Coping with Mass Shootings
• Tips for managing feelings of distress in the aftermath of a shooting
• Managing Your Distress in the Aftermath of a Shooting
• Tips on how to regain a sense of normalcy in daily life and how to strengthen your resilience in the time after a shooting.

Children Specific Resources:

• Helping Your Children Manage Distress in the Aftermath of a Shooting
• Tips on how to talk to children after a shooting rampage.

• Restoring a Sense of Safety in the Aftermath of a Mass Shooting: Tips for Parents and Professionals
• Advice for parents on how to help their children in the wake of a mass shooting tragedy.

• The National Child Traumatic Stress Network has developed resources to help families and communities. Provides multiple tip sheets.
  • Talking to Children about the Shooting
  • Parent Guidelines for Helping Youth After the Recent Shooting
  • Tip Sheet for Youth Talking to Journalists about the Shooting
  • Tips for Parents on Media Coverage of a Shooting
  • Guía para los Padres para Ayudar a los Jóvenes después de un Tiroteo Reciente

  • School Shooting Resources

Articles

ABC News:

• Aurora, CO, Shooting Witnesses: Shock Value Could Add to PTSD Vulnerability
• Explains that the shooting was big enough to trigger PTSD in those who were vulnerable. Discusses the impact on those present to witness the shooting and those

CNN:

• Grief Counselors Offer Solace Amid Tragedy   
• This is a positive article about disaster mental health work.  Dr. Charlton is an APA member and CO DRN member. Our support and thanks to Dan, Martha and all their colleagues in Colorado who assisted survivors, families and friends in the aftermath of the theater shooting.

Huffington Post Blog:

• Is Disaster Mental Health Helpful? Revisiting the Response to the Sandy Hook School Shooting
• Written by the Director of the Disaster Mental Health Institute at SUNY New Paltz about his experience as a DMH volunteer during Sandy Hook and the effectiveness of crisis counseling.

NBC News:

• Do school shooting drills go too far? Experts weight in
• More school districts around the nation are turning to active shooter drills to prepare teachers and law enforcement for the worst-case scenario – and it’s giving some child psychologists pause.

USA Today:

• Group Helps a ‘New Normal’ Surface in Grief’s Wake
• Compassionate Friends, a support group for parents whose children have died, offers understanding to families victimized by the Newtown school shooting.

WISTV.com:

• Grieving Continues in Aurora Movie Theater Shooting                              
• Cites APA’s Psychology Help Center mass shooting resources.